Drafted in the 3rd round (86th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2015 (signed for $900,000)

Nix tantalizes scouts with his size and easy velocity, but they have expressed disappointment with his performance this spring. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he is physical, athletic and projectable, so some scouts predict he could touch the high 90s as he matures. He already touches 93-95 mph, though he sits at 90-91. Last summer on the showcase circuit, Nix showed the ability to spot his fastball to all four quadrants, but he has struggled to command the pitch consistently this spring, and hitters sit on it because his secondary stuff is undeveloped. Nix's curveball lacks power and bite, though it occasionally flashes promise. He seldom uses his changeup, but he has enough feel for it that it could become an average offering down the road. Nix offers upside but has a long way to go, and scouts have expressed reluctance to spend what it will take to buy him out of a commitment to UCLA.